Southern Australia & Tasmania tailor made vacation

Planet

Tasmania, as one of the world's last wilderness areas, is a land of National Parks, amazing wildlife and remarkable landscapes. The environment of this state is to be both respected and protected and this is a philisophy that is thoroughly embraced throughout this itinerary, which has been carefully designed to take advantage of Tasmania's natural highlights, whilst ensuring that the impact on the environment remains as minimal as possible.

The four-day Maria Island Walk which features on this itinerary has been carefully selected for the philosophy that underpins it. The basic principles of sustainability - protecting the present for the future by maintaining bio-diversity, reducing environmental degradation and protecting place - have been wholeheartedly embraced in the construction of the semi-permanent tents that feature on the walk and the ethos carried by the enthusiastic local guides that accompany on the walk.

The passion of the local guides on this walk is infectious, whom tie in their expert knowledge of the local flora and fauna which are one of the main features of the four-days, with a generous serving of some of Tasmania's finest local produce throughout. At the end of days one and two you will stay in the purpose built semi-permanent tents, which have been carefully designed to blend in with the local bushland. They utilise composting toilets, and all efforts have been ensured to minimise environmental impact such as the careful use of water usage (no hot showers are on site) and the removal of all waste from the campsite.

People

Whilst the Great Ocean Road is far more visited than any other place on this itinerary, this itinerary takes a different approach to how it is usually visited with the focus on more than simply taking in the 'must see' tourist attractions en route and a large emphasis on giving something back to the smaller towns and villages that are dotted along not only the Great Ocean Road itself, but also as early as the outskirts of Melbourne. Visits to two stunning national parks in this section of the itinerary, the Otway and the Grampians National Park, is also afforded which truly allows visitors to learn more about the local flora and fauna and the region itself.

Accommodation wise, alongside the environmentally sustainable camping of Maria Island this journey takes in smaller, locally run guesthouses as well as two recognised environmentallly friendly options - the Great Ocean Ecolodge along the Great Ocean Road, and Rawnsley Park Station in the Flinders Ranges National Park.

The Great Ocean Ecolodge is a fully functional and sustainable ecotourism venture, incorporating research, education and wildlife care components, whilst the Rawnsley Park Station has also won numerous tourism awards, with uninterrupted views of the Wilpena Pound and the surrounding ranges and featuring the latest environmental design features, including rendered straw bale walls, polished timber floors and a spectacular retractable ceiling offering night-sky viewing from the comfort of your bed.